Susan Collins just dropped below 50%

[WonderGrunion]

That means Ranked Choice Voting kicks in and almost guarantees a win for Sara Gideon.

[MissB]

1. Seriously?

wow

[TheRealNorth]

7. I bet that if this holds up...

This will be another US Supreme Court challenge, although I believe ranked-choice vote has already been upheld by the USSC (I could be wrong though).

But possible another test for our Democracy.

[Thekaspervote]

2. That is superb!! Yeah

[dchill]

3. I'm not concerned now!

[Turin_C3PO]

4. Great!

I'm very hopeful that the right woman will prevail.

[WonderGrunion]

8. Technically they are both Women

But I get what you're saying.

[Turin_C3PO]

9. Lol whoops!

Still had Colorado on my mind !

[exboyfil]

5. YES

The NC Senate seat is still a possibility as well.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

6. Best news of the night

Collins an almost progressive independent Repub who does exactly what her party tells her to do, so basically a stepford senator, since 1997

[KewlKat]

10. Can you explain what ranked choice voting is?

[JonLP24]

11. If a candidate is held below 50%

Then third party voters second choice kicks in and most third party voters in Maine voted for the Democrat.

You pick which candidate you want in order of preference.

[KewlKat]

17. Thank you

[WonderGrunion]

13. It can best be described as an instant runoff election

The system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot, if they choose to do so. Voters can select a first choice, second choice, third choice, fourth choice, etc. They are not, however, required to rank candidates by preference, and may opt instead to only select a single candidate, who would be their first and only choice.

If one of the four Senate candidates receives a majority of the vote -- or 50% plus one -- on Election Night that candidate will win the race outright without ranked-choice tabulation taking effect.

But, if that does not happen, then the lowest-ranked candidate of the four will be eliminated. If that candidate's supporters ranked other preferences, their votes will then be assigned to their second-ranked choice. That process will repeat until only two candidates remain with the winner determined in the final round.

[KewlKat]

16. Thanks for the explanation

[Hav]

12. That assumes 100% of the second option going Dem

Even if there was such an endorsement by third party candidates, I'd prefer it closing more.

[budkin]

14. Really??

[Tommymac]

15. Concerning.

[proud patriot]

19. ha

[sprinkleeninow]

18. My eyeballs are crossing. Thot this said she 'drooped' below 50%'. 😝 eom

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. Bangor daily has her at 50.5.

[AdamGG]

21. I hope this is true, but it's 4:15 am ET & AP still has her at 50.9%

and they seem to be the quickest to update the numbers

[WonderGrunion]

22. NYT has her at 49.5

That's my source.

[AdamGG]

23. Excellent, and a reliable source